TAYLORVILLE — Ryan Ess uses his unique putting technique to put this one close to the hole in Monday’s Apollo conference tournament at Lakeshore Golf Course.

Robert Fagg/Breeze-Courier

TAYLORVILLE — The Taylorville Tornadoes had the benefit of hosting the 2017 Apollo Conference boys golf tournament. The boys finished sixth overall with a team score of 378; Charleston won with a 304, then it was Mattoon with a 324, Mahomet-Seymour with a 354, Lincoln and Mt. Zion with a 359, and Effingham finished behind the Tornadoes with a 382.Tuesday, September 26, 2017

SPRINGFIELD — The Tornado cross country team ran in the Springfield Invitational on Saturday. The boys placed 11 out of 20 schools in the varsity race and 5 out of 14 in the fresh/soph race and the girls finished 18 out of 16.Monday, September 25, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — King Pins take first place for the All-Stars bowling league and the Lady Strikers team isn’t far behind them. CTI Fiber, Number 6, Team 7 and Team 5 are all behind them in that order.Saturday, September 23, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Taylorville hit the ground running, coming off of their impressive victory over Mahomet-Seymour a week ago. The Tornadoes gave up only one score to Lincoln in their 56-6 victory on Friday.

MATTOON — After an eventful day on Wednesday in Mattoon, the school still held its Invitational on Thursday. After Senator Dale Righter spoke to the runners and they had a run-out in support for the Mattoon team, the runners battled the warm and humid conditions.Friday, September 22, 2017

SHERMAN — The Tornado golf team came in second after winning a tie break over Lincoln and falling to the host Williamsville. The Bullets shot a 165 and both the Tornadoes and the Railers shot a 182.Friday, September 22, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The Olde Bowl team regained their first place position on Thursday as Team 12 dropped back into second place. Yard Heating and Cooling and Wendy’s are hot on their heels in third and fourth. T’Ville KC II and Y-Zoe’s are in fifth and sixth with Taylorville Moose and Jandi Services behind them. Solid 9 Pro Shop, T’Ville KC, and CTI Fiber round out the league.Friday, September 22, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The Pin Pals took over the lead this week in the Wednesday morning ladies bowling league. The Fab Five team finished in second, Alley Oops finished in third, and Anderson Jewelers finished in fourth.Thursday, September 21, 2017

SPRINGFIELD — Taylorville traveled to Springfield on Wednesday and competed against Chatham Glenwood and Springfield High at Lincoln Greens Golf Course. The Tornadoes would finish with a score of 181; Chatham and Springfield both finished with a 163 but Springfield won on a tiebreak.Thursday, September 21, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The Tornadoes played against Rochester and Lincolnwood at beautiful Lakeshore Golf Course on Monday. Rochester would take home the win, shooting a 170 with Lincolnwood shooting a 177 and Taylorville finishing with a 187.Tuesday, September 19, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Olde Bowl took the lead back this week, finishing in first place. T’Ville KC II is in second after the week, with Team 12, Taylorville Moose, Yard Heating and Cooling, and Wendy’s following suit. Jandi Services sits in seventh place with Solid 9 Pro Shop behind them. Y-Zoe’s, CTI Fiber, and T’Ville KC brought up the rear.

PANA — The Pana Panthers hosted Taylorville and Effingham St. Anthony at Oak Terrace on Thursday. Taylorville would continue their streak of successful matches, coming away with the win with Effingham St. Anthony finishing second and Pana finishing third.

TAYLORVILLE — After the second week of bowling, the Pin Pals took over first place, with Fab Five now in second, Anderson Jewelers in third, and Alley Oops brining up the rear.Thursday, September 14, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — After winning their first match on Monday, the Tornado golf team finished in second on Tuesday with a 185; Effingham shot a 173, Shelbyville a 186, and Mt. Zion a 187.Wednesday, September 13, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The boys were at it again Thursday night at the Olde Bowl, as Team 12 took the lead. A three-way tie for second has Olde Bowl, Yard Heating and Cooling, and Taylorville Moose in that spot, closely followed by T’Ville KC II. Team 11 sits by themselves in fourth, while Jandi Services and CTI Fiber are tied for fifth and T’Ville KC and Solid 9 Pro Shop are tied for sixth. Y-Zoe’s ended in the final spot.Friday, September 8, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Tornado cross country runners were blazing new trails on Thursday afternoon. They may have been running on a slightly revamped course, but it was a record setting day for the Tornadoes in their three-way home meet against Pana and Auburn.Friday, September 8, 2017

CHARLESTON — It took the Tornadoes three sets but they pulled out a 25-10, 23-25, 25-17 victory over Apollo conference foe Charleston. Including their tournament in Mattoon, this marks the Tornadoes seventh straight win.Friday, September 8, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The Route 29 rivalry continued as the Panthers defeated the Tornadoes 5-4 in their soccer game Thursday. The plaque now resides in Pana once more, but it certainly wansn’t an easy win for the Panthers despite a 4-0 lead at the half.

TAYLORVILLE — After week one of bowling of the ladies morning league: the Pin Pals finished in first place going 3-1, the Alley Oops ended the day in second after a 2-2 finish, Anderson Jewels finished in third going 2-2, and Fab Five finished in fourth going 1-3.Thursday, September 7, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The Taylorville JFL played in non-conference games against Rochester Wednesday. The fifth and sixth-grade teams played at home while the seventh and eighth-grade teams traveled to Rochester.Thursday, September 7, 2017

NARITA, CHIBA, Japan — Former Taylorville resident, Jerry Smith, will play in the first PGA tour sanctioned event to be held in Japan this week at the Japan Airlines Championship (JAL). The tournament will be played Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10, 2017.

AUBURN — The Tornadoes took on Litchfield and Auburn at Edgewood golf course and came up just a bit short, finishing with a 187 compared to Auburn’s 185 and Litchfield’s 184.Wednesday, September 6, 2017

ROCHESTER — Rochester park hosted 22 boys and 21 girls teams on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The Tornadoes would come out on top of the boy group and Williamsville would win the girls division.Monday, September 4, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Tornado wide receiver Justin Wright is now the all-time IHSA (Illinois High School Association) leader for receiving yards in a single game following a historic performance Friday against the Effingham Flaming Hearts.Monday, September 4, 2017

MATTOON — The Taylorville Tornadoes went 5-0 Saturday en route to their Mattoon invitational victory. Taylorville would defeat St. Elmo, Warrensburg-Latham, Sullivan, and Heyworth in straight sets. Mattoon would be their toughest opponent, taking the Tornadoes to three sets, but the Tornadoes would come out o top 25-20, 14-25, and 15-9.Monday, September 4, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Most games, final scores end up being 24-17; that’s not typically the score after the second quarter. Friday night’s matchup between Taylorville and Effingham was not a typical game though. Head coach Jeb Odam said, “the gameplay was going to be high risk, high reward. We knew they were going to play man across the board and we liked our matchups on the inside.”Saturday, September 2, 2017

ROCHESTER — Neither team is going to be the same after Thursday nights slugfest between the Rochester Rocket and the Taylorville Tornado volleyball programs. Both teams were going back and forth all night but Rochester would get the win 25-21 and 25-16. “Rochester is always a tough opponent. You can’t let the good teams go on five-point runs,” said Taylorville head coach Kim Peabody after the contest.Friday, September 1, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Just days after pushing past Mt. Vernon by a final of 42-6, the Tornado football team has moved up two spots in the Associated Press Illinois football 4A rankings.Wednesday, August 30, 2017

LITCHFIELD — Taylorville golf would end the day on Tuesday in fourth place, trailing Litchfield, Vandalia and Lincolnwood. Litchfield would come away with the team win totaling a 162 and they would also have the medal winner as Alex Bishop would finish with a 34.Wednesday, August 30, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Pictured is Dave Ryan, Taylorville native, playing his second shot at the seventh hole during the second round of stroke play at the 2017 U.S. Senior Amateur at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis on Sunday. Ryan, the defending champion, finished tied for 5th in the medal play. He teed off at 10:10 a.m. today to play his first match.Monday, August 28, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — St. Teresa came out Saturday morning firing on all cylinders against the Tornadoes, scoring nine goals in the first half and two in the second, finishing the game with an 11-0 victory.Monday, August 28, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — In what possibly may have been the first alumni game in the area since the days of Sacred-Heart Griffen taking on Springfield High School, alumni from Taylorville and Chatham Glenwood competed in a hard-nosed, smash-mouth football game Saturday night. Taylorville alum would come away with the victory by a final tally of 15-9.Monday, August 28, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — After a huge opening kickoff return from Jagger Moore that started the Tornado offense in the right direction, there was no looking back as the Tornadoes would defeat the visiting Rams of Mt. Vernon in Friday night’s season opener.

LITCHFIELD — In a rare five-team match at Litchfield Country Club Wednesday, Pana found themselves in fifth place out of five tough teams. Alton Marquette took top honors with an overall team score of 150, Litchfield came in second with a 166, Roxana placed third with a 175, Staunton finished in fourth place with a 181, and Pana placed fifth with a 208. Alex Bishop and Sam Coogan both took home medalist honors with a 35.Thursday, August 24, 2017

SPRINGFIELD — The THS Tornadoes competed in a quad match August 22. The Tornadoes came in third, with Chatham and Sacred Heart Griffin placing ahead of them with Jacksonville coming in fourth.Thursday, August 24, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Two big things happen for high school kids during the month of August, school starts and football season begins. School started Wednesday, August 16, but when the Tornadoes kicked off Friday, August 18, the real fun began.Saturday, August 19, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Late last month, it was the Taylorville football field and the marquis sign that received major updates. This week, it was Taylorville’s iconic West Gymnasium and the Dolph Stanley Court.Friday, August 18, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Tornado football season officially starts Friday, August 25, but there’s another showdown set for August 26. Friday night will feature the current-day Tornadoes against Mt. Vernon at home; on Saturday, Tornadoes of the past will face alumnus of Chatham on the same field.Friday, August 18, 2017

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Sky High Trampoline, Tumbling, Cheer Gym recently competed with the AAU organization for the first time this competitive season. Competitions were held in St. Louis, Mo. and Farmington, Mo. The following athletes placed in the events as follows:Thursday, August 17, 2017

BREEZE-COURIER FILE — This photo from the July 27,2017 edition of the Breeze-Courier shows a crew with Monitor Sign Service hoisting a massive scoreboard into place just beyond the north endzone on the Taylorville High School football field. The highlight of the new board is a state-of-the-art video board (not shown), measuring in at a sprawling 15 feet wide and 6.9 feet tall. “We’re kind of jumping ahead into the current time of things. You go to Mt. Zion, and they’ve got a board; Griffin has a board, so we’re jumping ahead of a few schools and catching up with others. Overall, though, I think it will add to the experience for the fans, and it will give a wow factor to the kids,” said THS Athletic Director Paul Held. “It’s also a point of pride because this really came from the community. It didn’t cost the district a thing, so we’re fortunate to have very generous supporters.” The new video board at the THS football field was part of a package of signs that also included a new marquis sign on Springfield Road as well as new video boards in the West Gymnasium at the high schoolWednesday, August 16, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — With a fourth new coach in as many seasons, Taylorville golf looks to succeed under new head coach Nick Gerndt. “The kids have made this a great experience for me,” said Gerndt.Wednesday, August 16, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Head coach Brad Hodapp is hopeful that this season can be a success in the first year that program is boys only. Hodapp said that in his six years at Taylorville this is the first season that is boys only.Wednesday, August 16, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Head coach Steve Walters said at the first day of practice, “I need 100% of everything you have 100% of the time. That includes 100% commitment, 100% effort, and 100% in practice and during meets.” This is his motto for the team this year.Wednesday, August 16, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — For a team that finished 27-13, 8-3 in conference, and competed in a Super Sectional against Mascoutah; head coach Kim Peabody is hopeful that this season can be as, if not even more, successful than last year.Wednesday, August 16, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Seven and two in the regular season. 3-2 in conference (ranked third). An offense that scored 31.8 points per game. A defense that only allowed 16.9 points per game and had three shut-outs. A rough loss in the second round of the IHSA playoffs last year, against a team that would then go on to give defending state champion Rochester a run for its money. Graduated 11 seniors.Wednesday, August 16, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Lakeshore couples were back on the links Friday night. The group of Doug and Tracy Meyer, Mary Chesney, and Terry Passoni finished in first place Friday night while second place went to Lita Lancaster, Stan Crouch, and David Crouch.Saturday, August 12, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The couples league on Friday nights continued play at Lakeshore Golf Course. August 4, Dave Hawley, Marilyn Remmert, and Terry Passoni came in first place with Stan Crouch, Lita Lancaster, and Dave Crouch finishing in second place.Monday, August 7, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Kyle Owens of Taylorville kicks off the 25th annual Tornado Open at the first hole of Lakeshore Golf Course early Saturday morning. The event marks the largest fundraising event for Taylorville sports, but proceeds go to support more than just athletics. Academic programs and extracurricular activities like band and music also benefit as well. See Monday’s edition of the Breeze-Courier for full coverage of the Tornado Open.Saturday, August 5, 2017

MT. AUBURN — Christian County Youth Volleyball is a new program that debuted this summer. Followin its success, it is now gearing up for the fall season. The program is open to girls and boys in grade one through seven that are enrolled in any school around the area.Friday, August 4, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — In 1993, Taylorville saw the first annual Tornado Open. Twenty-five years later, the event is still going strong. This year’s fundraiser kicks off with a party on Friday night; the main attraction, though, is happening on Saturday at Lakeshore Golf Course.Wednesday, August 2, 2017

TAYLORVILLE —After being officially commissioned just last week, the Taylorville Junior High Cross Country team held its first-ever practice. Co-coach Tommy O’Brien says there is still plenty of room to add more runners to the newly formed team, but the inaguaral memebers are shown here. Back row left to right: coach Suzanne Beckley, Daniel Sloan, Brenton Good, Jack Chesser, and coach Tommy O’Brien. Front row left to right: Sophie Rogers, Jace Neece, Ella Goodman, Jesse Sloan, and Trysten Anderson. Anyone interested in still joining the team can contact Tommy O’Brien at 827-5940.Wednesday, August 2, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The Tornado cross country team will be holding a sign up and parent meeting on Wednesday, August 2, at 6 p.m. in the THS Cafeteria. For more information call head coach Steve Walters at 217-820-6284.Tuesday, August 1, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Justin Wright caught a last second touchdown from Brandon Odam in the corner of the endzone Friday evening to give the Taylorville Tornado seven-on-seven team a 31-26 victory over the Chatham Glenwood Titans.

TAYLORVILLE — There was some rip roarin’ action on the track Wednesday night as stock car racers showed off their talent behind the wheel in a triple-header event at the Christian County Fair Grounds that featured three classes of racing, the Sportsman class, Big 10 Street Stocks, and Hornets.Thursday, July 27, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — A crew with Monitor Sign Service hoists a massive scoreboard into place just beyond the north endzone on the Taylorville High School football field. The highlight of the new board will be a state-of-the-art video board (not shown), measuring in at a sprawling 15 feet wide and 6.9 feet tall. “We’re kind of jumping ahead into the current time of things. You go to Mt. Zion, and they’ve got a board; Griffin has a board, so we’re jumping ahead of a few schools and catching up with others. Overall, though, I think it will add to the experience for the fans, and it will give a wow factor to the kids,” said THS Athletic Director Paul Held. “It’s also a point of pride because this really came from the community. It didn’t cost the district a thing, so we’re fortunate to have very generous supporters.”Thursday, July 27, 2017

PANA — Pictured from left: Maddex Havera, Issac Repscher, Tucker Durbin, Ben Peabody, and James Peabody finished in second place in a Pana soccer tournament recently after losing 4-3 in the championship game of the tournament.Tuesday, July 25, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The Taylorville High School Baseball team will hold non-mandatory open practices Monday July 24 through Thursday July 27th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Taylorville High School baseball field.Tuesday, July 25, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The 2017 Ladies City Tournament will be held at Lakeshore Golf Course Saturday, July 29 and Sunday July 30. The tournament will be flighted on both days, with Championship, A Fight, and B Flight each playing 18 holes both days. There will also be a Senior Flight which will play 9 holes both days. The Senior Flight will only be if there are at least 4 people wanting to play Senior. Senior Flight age is 65 and over.Monday, July 24, 2017

The 26th Annual Christian County Democratic Party Golf and Fundraiser was held on Friday, July 21 at Lakeshore Golf in Taylorville. Over 100 golfers braved the heat and had an enjoyable day of golfing, At the conclusion of the event a dinner was held and prizes were awarded. Pictured L to R: Sen. Andy Manar, States Attorney Mike Havera, Christian County Democrat Chairman Jack Mazzotti, Circuit Clerk Julie Mayer, and Christian County Democrat Vice Chairman Mike Mayer.Monday, July 24, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — The eighth grade Tornado volleyball team earned first place and went 5-0 in the LLCC tournament to wrap up thier summer volleyball season. Over the summer the eighth grade Tornadoes played in the Raymond summer league and played in four tournaments taking first place in two tournaments and 2nd place in the other two tournaments. Kneeling left to right: Haley Chitwood, Olivia Mellinger, Summer Brandis, Kennedie Clearlock, and Mia Lane. Standing left to right: Emma Pennock, Abby Heberling, Mattie Anderson, Hannah Clayton, Averi Stephens, and Coach Kim Peabody.Saturday, July 22, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Greg Phillips posted to low individual score on Monday morning in the Lakeshore retired men’s golf league, but there wasn’t a ton of separation at the top as nine other golfers shot a 39.Tuesday, July 18, 2017

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —The THS volleyball team took 34 players and four coaches to Purdue University for Volleyball Team Camp this past weekend. The Tornadoes brought two freshmen teams, one JV team, and one varsity team. Varsity finished 2nd in their division tournament going 8-1 losing by only 1 point to the first place team. Peyton Jackson was recognized for most outstanding attacker and Courtney Coy was recognized for best attitude/best teammate. Pictured left to right kneeling is Cydnee Larson, Payton Tucker, Reagan Morrison, McKenna Anderson, and Maddy Brown. Standing; Liz Curtin, Peyton Jackson, Camp Coach Brad McCarter, Camp Coach Blake Moeller, Courtney Coy, and Natalie SnyderTuesday, July 18, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — It has been a wonderful season for the Taylorville Swim Team (TST). They end the summer season with a winning record of 8 wins, 3 losses,1 tie. Top scoring swimmers are able to compete in the state conference to be held Sunday, July 16 at the Eisenhower Pool in Springfield.Friday, July 14, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — It may be the middle of summer, but it was a great day for high school baseball…sort of. Nearly 30 former THS varsity baseball players, some from as far back as the 70s, gathered at the THS baseball field on Sunday afternoon for the alumni baseball game. “It was just something fun for the guys, a way to kind of generate interest in the program,” said current THS Baseball Coach Brian Sample. Sample says this is the first game of this kind he has overseen in his tenure, but that he intends to continue the tradition. It was a casual contest Sunday, and no official score was kept.Monday, July 10, 2017

TAYLORVILLE — Got the itch to step back in the box again? Any former varsity Tornado baseball player will get the chance to scratch that itch on Sunday when the Tornado baseball team hosts its alumni game.Thursday, July 6, 2017

PEABODY, Mass. — From left Dave Ryan of Taylorville, Tom Watson and Chip Lutz, sharing a laugh at Wednesday’s practice round at the 38th U.S. Senior Open at the Salem Country Club, Peabody, Mass. The tournament began today and runs through Sunday, July 2, 2017.Thursday, June 29, 2017